Something Fishy

An attorney who uased entrusted funds for personal purposes has been suspended for 18 months by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

The attorney held funds for his client Jennifer Fisheries, Inc. in connection with litigation relating to a fishing vessel.

The court

[The attorney] provided mitigation testimony that at the time of his misconduct he suffered from a major-depressive disorder that affected his judgment. He made full restitution prior to the filing of any disciplinary complaint, and he fully cooperated with the investigation conducted by Disciplinary Counsel. He has sought treatment for his condition, for which he takes medication. He came to the conclusion on his own that his condition rendered him incapable of continuing to represent clients, and he voluntarily requested that he be placed on inactive status. Having heard the respondent’s admission of misconduct and considering the mitigation evidence, the board recommended that the respondent be suspended from the practice of law for eighteen months, retroactive to the date he went on inactive status.

The court held that the mitigation did not excuse the misconduct. (Mike Frisch)